are said to be chosen before the Foundation of the World in Christ A. Christ is called a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World yet not slain many thousand Years after till he was a Man in the Flesh so Men are said to be chosen in Christ before the Foundation of the World yet not chosen till they have the Sanctification of the Spirit and believe the Truth 2 Thess 2.13 He hath set apart the Godly for himself Psal 4.3 Q. How are Men said to be ordained of old to Condemnation A. Not as Men but as wicked ungodly Men who turn the Grace of God into Wantonness denying our Lord Jesus Christ and the only Lord God Jude 4. Q. How doth this farther appear A. Because that God manifesteth upon Oath that he desireth not the Death of a Sinner but that he may turn and live Q. How doth it appear that God doth not ordain any to Destruction but as they are wicked and abuse his Grace A. By his lamenting the Ruin of them that have perished and had the things hid from their Eyes that pertain to their everlasting Peace Matth. 23.37 Luke 19.41 42. Also by the Lord minding that Man's Destruction is of himself Hos 13.9 Acts 13.46 Also for this Cause God shall send them strong Delusions and for this Cause he gave them up to vile Affections so that there was a Cause of their Ruin when they had a being and not before they had a being 2 Thess 2.10 11. Rom. 1.14 Psal 81.10 11. Q. What are Childrens Duty towards their Parents A. Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord Col. 3.20 compared with Ephes 6.1 2. Exod. 20.12 Q. What is the Danger of disobeying slighting or making light of Parents A. Some eminent Judgments have taken hold of those that have so done and it doth much provoke the Lord. Q. What Judgments have fallen upon Children for making light of their Parents A. Ham the Father of Canaan for his Contempt of his Father Noah was cursed and was Servant to the rest of his Brethren Gen. 9.22 23 27. Q. What else befel disobedient Children A. He that smote his Father or he that cursed or reviled his Father was according to the Law of God to be put to Death Exod. 21.15 17. His Lamp to be put out in obscure Darkness that curseth Father or Mother Prov. 20.20 Q. How doth it appear that some eminent Judgment is likely to fall on them A. The Eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it Prov. 30.17 Disobedience to Parents is reckoned up among the Sins that God hath punished Ezek. 22.7 14. among the Sins that God will punish and that which makes the Days with other Evils perilous 2 Tim. 3.2 Q. Are Parents to be obeyed in any thing actually that contradicts the Mind of the Father of Spirits A. In this respect we must honour God more than Father or Mother or Governours as Christ saith Call no Man Father for one is your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 23.9 Q. What Privilege have those Children that are obedient to their Parents in the Lord A. It is called the first Commandment with Promise Ephes 6.3 God blessed the Rekabites the Sons of Jonadah and honoured them highly because they did not violate their Father's Command but observed it Jer. 35.5 6 7 8 9 compared with the 18 19 verses Q. What was done to the Children that mocked the Prophet because of his bald Head A. They were cursed and two Bears came forth out of the Wood and slew forty two Children 2 Kings 2.23 24. Q. What may this Judgment of God teach Parents A. Much to caution and instruct their Children to take heed of despising reproaching or mocking any though wanting any thing in Person or Substance that others enjoy Q. What was done to Gehazi for Covetousness and Lying A. The Leprosy of Naaman the Syrian clave to him and his Seed for ever and he went out white as a Leper 2 King 5.25 27. Q. What was done to Ananias and Saphira for lying A. They fell down both dead at the Apostles Feet Acts 5.1 2 3. Q. What must be the Portion of Liars A. They shall have their part in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone that tormenteth for ever and ever Rev. 21.8 Q. What did Moses say to the Brethren that strove with each other A. Rebuked them saying Wherefore smitest thou thy Fellow And Abraham said to Lot when their Herdsmen were at strife Let there be no Strife between me and thee for we be Brethren Exod. 2.13 Gen. 13.8 It was the Charge of Joseph to his Brethren saying See that you fall not out by the way Gen. 49.24 Q. VVhat is the Duty of Servants to their Masters A. Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear not only to the Good and Gentle but also to the Froward 1 Pet. 2.18 19 20 21. Q. But what Service ought a Person to perform to those whom he engageth to serve A. Diligently faithfully humbly behaving himself in his outward Business avoiding Eye-service purloyning or taking little Matters without Consent or Knowledg of his Master or stubbornly answering again or despising or slighting of them because they are Brethren Ephes 6.6 7 8. 1 Tim. 6.1 Titus 2.9 10. Q VVhat Encouragement hath a Servant to be subject to the Froward to be Faithful to be Humble Diligent avoiding Eye-service not answering again A. The Grace of God in sending his Son to die teacheth those Lessons Titus 2.11 also knowing that whatsoever good Thing any Man doth the same he shall receive of the Lord whether Bond or Free Also the Law of Equity which the Law of God gives a being unto would have Servants do as they would be done by and so Masters to deal by their Servants as they would have their own Children when they come to be Servants dealt by considering those words Mat. 7.2 Mark 4.24 What measure you meet shall be measured to you again Therefore let Master and Servant Father and Child all prepare according to the Measures of Knowledg received doing the Will of God from the Heart And this shall be the Conclusion of the Matter Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole Duty of Man Eccles 12.13 Remember thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth say daily What am I what do I whither go I Thy last Hour and Eternal Judgment do not forget THE END APPENDIX May 1693. BEing desired by Brethren to reprint this short Catechism and moved thereto at the Association of several Messengers and Elders assembled together at Nantwich April 19 1693. And looking upon my poor Endeavours to be far short of what might be done in order to the instructing of Youth and what some have done yet in answer to the desire of that Christian Assembly and the fervent Desires of many in
A NEW and USEFUL CATECHISM Very necessary and teachable both for Children and young Christians Wherein is contained by way of Question and Answer a brief Discovery of these Things 1. What is God 2. How he may be known 3. What Man's State is by reason of the Fall of Adam and his own actual Sins 4. What Christ is and the glorious Remedy God hath provided for Sinners in sending his Son into the World 5. That the Scriptures are the undoubted Mind and Will of God for Men and Christians to walk by evident by six Reasons 6. What our Duty is to Christ in Matter of Worship and holy Conversation 7. Some few Questions and Answers relating to the Duty of Children and Servants in particular The third Edition Corected and Amended with large Additions by MANASSETH KING Pastor to the Church of Christ in Coventry Parents bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Ephes 6.4 London Printed in the Year 1693. TO THE READER FOr as much as I have observed that among the many great and little Books there have been scarce any that have minded this Work of publishing any thing tending to the instructing of Youth in the Things of the Lord in such a way as may be by Parents or Masters easily by way of Question asked and by way of Answer easily learned by Children or Servants I have therefore as one of those that bear good-will to the Education of Youth and the Edification of others and so far as I know my own Heart to the eternal Salvation of all whom Jesus Christ hath died for have singly in this intended the Glory of God in whose Hand is all our Breaths and do humbly offer this as tending thereto in this ensuing Dialogue desiring that if my Knowledg may not be so great as others nor my Judgment so regulated according to the Scriptures of Truth as others that it may not prejudice them against what Truth they may find nor hinder but rather further them to the bringing forth a more excellent Piece of this Nature and then I am sure God will have the Glory Souls may have the Benefit many Families that too much yea I judg sinfully neglect the instructing of their Children or Servants under their Charge receive more Benefit not knowing as the Apostle saith but thou O Man mayst save thy Wife So what knowest thou O Father but thou by thy care in bringing up thy Child in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord mayest save thy Child thy Servant thy Patterns or Examples being daily agreeable to thy Instruction and thy neglect of this Duty may be sad upon the Day of thy Account when the Blood of any poor Soul living in thy Family may be required at thy Hand because thou didst not do thy utmost in the use of the Means God hath appointed to reclaim them from Evil and the Snares of Death and to bring them to the understanding of the Will and Work of God appointed for them to observe Among the rest of those great Endeavours of many of the Lord's People in other things I do here present thee with a few Questions and Answers grounded upon Scripture which I shall beg thy Esteem of no farther than thou findest them agree with the Law and Testimony Isa 8. and desire from my Soul that every Man and Woman Child and Servant may learn to know the Things that belong to their Peace and may escape the Snares of Death in which I desire to remain one that am commanded to love my Neighbour as my self Manasseth King The Child's Instructor OR Brother Benjamin Keach 's Verses O Child most dear encline thine Ear And hearken to God's Voice His Counsel take and that will make God's Angels to rejoice Be not like those that Grace oppose And give their Minds to play But let thy Mind be well inclin'd In seeking Wisdom's Way Learn in thy Youth God's holy Truth Christ's blessed Cross to bear And so shalt thou though hated now In Heaven have a share Don't lie nor swear to steal don't dare Have a care of such Evils For such must die and in Hell lie With damned Souls and Devils In a right way thou must obey Thy Father and thy Mother As also right in God's dear sight To love Sister and Brother Let not vain Pleasure nor earthly Treasure Thy Soul seek and desire For these things know God will o'rthrow with his consuming Fire Spend all thy Days in righteous Ways God's holy Name to hallow That at thy last thy Days being past A blessed End may follow And though thou die and in Grave lie Yet Christ will thee awake And Angels send thee to attend And into 's Kingdom take Where thou shalt rest with Saints the best And pray that so may I And have the Crown of bless'd Renown God's Name to magnify That thou with Christ in Paradise For ever mayest dwell Thus do thou pray both Night and Day And so dear Child farewel A New and Useful CATECHISM QUestion What is God Answer A Spirit a King Immortal only Wise Holy Merciful Just All-seeing a Heart-searching Jehovah Joh. 4.24 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Pet. 1.15 Ephes 2.4 Psal 86.5 Prov. 15.3 Isa 45.21 Quest How may he be known Answ By his Works Attributes and his Word Rom. 2.14 15. Micah 7.18 Isa 9.6 Job Chap. 38 39. Exod. 34.6 7 8. Quest What are his Works Answ He made Heaven Earth the Sea and all that in them is in six Days and rested the seventh Day and saw all things to be exceeding Good Quest What is wonderful in his Works further A. His making all Things of Nothing his preserving all things by his Mercy Power calleth for the Waters out of the Sea poureth them out upon the Earth Amos 5.8 Gives the Sun for a Light by Day and the Moon and Stars by Night giveth the Rainbow as a Sign that the World shall be no more drowned placing Virtue and Operation in every Herb Tree Plant for the use and benefit of his Creature Man And for a further discovery take notice of Job 38 39 Chapters Gen. 9.13 Gen. 1.28 29 30. Quest What are his Attributes Answ His Wisdom his Holiness his Justice his Mercy his Faithfulness his Allseeingness and his Infiniteness in them and Immortality and Immutability 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Cor. 10.13 Rev. 15.4 Psal 139.2 Quest What is his Word Answ That which declareth him so to be and proceedeth from himself Psal 19.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Quest Why did God create all things Answ For his Pleasure all things are and were created Rev. 4.11 Quest Did God create any Man on purpose to damn him Answ No for he saith As I live I desire not the Death of a Sinner but rather that he may turn and live Ezek. 18.22 23 24. 33.11 Q. What was Man made of A. Dust of the Earth Gen. 2.7 Q. After what manner was he made A. He is said to be created after God's own Image
having Dominion over all the earthly Creatures Gen. 1.27 28. Q. What did God give to Adam at the first A. He gave him a pleasant Paradise and a Law That of every Tree in the Garden he might eat but of the Tree of Knowledg of Good and Evil he should not eat for in the Day he eat thereof he should surely die Gen. 2.17 Q. How came Adam to break the Law given unto him A. By the Woman's yielding to the Serpent did take and eat of the forbidden Fruit and she gave to her Husband and he did eat Gen. 3.6 Q. Did Eve being tempted or provoked to eat by the Serpent or Adam by the Woman excuse their Sin A. No for God passeth Sentence upon them both and also upon the Serpent Q. What Misery fell they under as their Punishment A. To the Woman God saith I will greatly multiply thy Sorrows and thy Conceptions in Sorrow shalt thou bring forth Children and thy desire shall be to thy Husband and he shall rule over thee Gen. 3.16 Q. What did God say to Adam A. Because thou hast hearkened to the Voice of thy Wife the Ground shall be cursed for thy sake Thorns and Thistles shall it bring forth thou shalt in the sweat of thy Face eat thy Bread until thou return unto the Dust for Dust thou art and unto Dust thou shalt return He was also ashamed of his Nakedness feared to appear before his Maker turned out of Paradise and Cherubims set to keep the Way of the Tree of Life with flaming Swords that he might not eat thereof lest he live for ever Gen. 3.17 18 19 22 23 24. Q. Here is sad News of Death and Mortality and Pain and losing of a pleasant Paradise How came the happy News of Life immortal and enjoying of a heavenly Paradise A. Through a second Adam Christ Jesus who hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality unto Light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 Heb. 2.14 1 Cor. 15.22 Gen. 3.15 Q. What is Jesus Christ A. The Son of God the Saviour of poor lost worthless straying Sinners Q. How may that appear A. By the Wonders wrought at his Conception at his Birth by himself whilst on Earth personally at his Transfiguration at his Baptism at his Death at his Resurrection Q. What was wrought in a miraculous way at his Conception A. Mary with Child by the Holy Ghost and not after any ordinary manner Mat. 1.16 Joseph being espoused unto her thought to put her away not knowing what was done but an Angel appeared to satisfy him and directed him to call his Name Jesus for he should save his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 Q. What Wonder was done at his Birth A. A Star arose out of the East which the Wise-men followed till it stood still over the Place where the young Child lay Mat. 2.10 Q. What else was done at his Birth A. Their rejoicing and worshipping of him Herod's cruel Design frustrated as relating to the killing of the Babe by the Lord 's appearing unto them in a Dream and sending them another way Mat. 2.12 Q. What else was wonderful A. An Angel appearing unto two Shepherds in great Glory saying Fear not for I bring you glad Tidings which shall be to all People for unto you is born this Day in the City of David a Saviour Christ the Lord. Q. What else was wrought wonderfully at his Birth A. A heavenly Host immediately appearing praising God and saying Glory to God in the Highest on Earth Peace Good-will towards Men Luke 2.9 10 11 12 13 14. Q. What Wonders were wrought in his Life-time A. Disputing with the Doctors at twelve Years of Age rebuking violent Diseases and they departed by the Word of his Mouth Joh. 4.10 turned Water into Wine John 2.9 raised the Dead cleansed the Lepers the Lame walk the Blind see the Deaf hear the Dumb speak Mat. 11.5 Rather than he will give Offence causeth Money to be taken out of a Fish's Mouth Mat. 17.27 Q. What else was wrought by Christ in his Life-time A. The Wind and the Sea obey him and are calm at his Command Mat. 8.26 27. Five thousand fed with five Loaves and two little Fishes Mat. 14.19 20 21. Q. What was wonderful at his Baptism A. The Spirit of God lighting upon him as a Dove as he came out of the Water testifying that he was the Son of God in whom he was well-pleased Mat. 3.16 Also at his being transfigured upon the Mount his Face did shine as the Sun and his Raiment white as the Light a bright Cloud over-shadowed them and a Voice out of the Cloud saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased hear ye him Mat. 17.2 Q. What was done at his Death A. The Vail of the Temple rent to signify the End of those Types he being the Substance Heb. 9.11 and Darkness over all the Earth from the 6th Hour to the 9th Hour Luke 23.44 the Earth did quake and the Rocks rent and the Graves were opened and many of the dead Bodies of the Saints which slept arose after his Resurrection and went into the holy City Mat. 27.51 52 53. Q. What Wonders were wrought at his Resurrection A. A great Earthquake an Angel descending from Heaven and came and rolled the Stone from the Door and sat upon it his Countenance like Lightning and his Raiment white as Snow and for fear of him the Keepers did shake and became as dead Men telling the Women that Christ was risen shewing them the Place where the Lord lay and said unto them Go quickly and tell his Disciples he is risen from the Dead Matth. 28.2 3 4 5 6 7. Q. How long was it from his Death to his Ascension A. Forty Days speaking to them of the things concerning the Kingdom of God Act. 1.3 Q. What was done at his Ascension A. Two Men standing by the Disciples in white Apparel testifying that the same Jesus whom they had seen ascend into Heaven should so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 1.11 Q. What was done after his Ascension A. The Disciples being together and praying upon the Day of Pentecost they received the Promise of the Spirit and were filled with the Holy Ghost so as that they were able to speak to the understanding of all Nations and Gifts bestowed upon them and others for the Edification of the Church perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry this appears from these Scriptures Acts 2.3 Eph. 4.8 1 Cor. 12.7 Q. VVhat did the Lord Jesus come into the VVorld to do A. He came to seek and save them that were lost to give the knowledg of Salvation and Remission of Sins to give Light to them that sat in Darkness and the shadow of Death to guide our Feet in the Path of Peace Luk. 19.10 1.77 78 79. 24.47 and to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Q. How came Man into his